FARMERS' UNION.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13795, 16 June 1915, Page 4 (Supplement)

FARMERS' UNION.

NELSON PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE.

The annual meelius of tlio Nelson district branch of- tlio New Scaland Farmers' Union was lield at the Oddfollows' Hall, Richmond yesterday afternoon. The president (Mr. Ivo Tunnicliffe) ociiinied the chair. Iheio were also present: Vice-president Mr. W. Thorn j" delegates, Messrs. G. \\ inter (Tak«kn>. J. Baiwoll (Stanley IJrook), R- C. Withers (Wakapuaka), G L Mcad/(Kf-rero-Motupiko), J. A. , fliiv (Xftatimoti), B. M. Field •(poycflale) It. G. Tunnicliffe (Karamoa), \\ . Jcfferies (Bainliam), T. Bell (Murclnson) aJKI Ihc following members of the executive:—Messrs. 11. H. Turner, A. Shirtliff, F. Whitwell, Geo. Dqdson, A. Wilkinson, E. W. 'Frost, B. Robinson, •vnd W D. Harkncss (secretary). Messrs. T. Field and 11. P. Hudson, "MP's and Mr. J. Hunt (Mayor or Richmond)' were also present by invitation. , PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. The president (Mr. I. Tunnicliffe) in his address, made reference to tho war, and said:-- . . "The Farmers' . Union organisation has. from the commencement of the war, been most active in assisting the authorities in equipping and sendiik away the Expeditionary Forces from our shores, and is still assisting and will bo prepared to continue to assist, in an'v way for the good and woltar© tf the Empire and of the men who have .'one forth,andthbsewho are going Iritli to fifrht for our King and country. We who are left behind must redouble cur efforts to keep up the industries ana provide ways and means to varry on the great fight. This, in my opinion, is where our organisation can iyu.ih-jal-ly assist. The . responsibilities of the farmers of this country have p'-citly increased. It is their duty to ?<;e that the production does not softer on arfount of the loss of so much Jftlror.r They must sec that tlie.most up-to-'iate methods are-employed hi the rnlu-a-tic.n of the soil. The question -s, >»ow are we to do this.? It seems to mo the first step is to educate the boys and <>irh who, in the near future, will be takin" our places. I would therefore nsk the conference to again urge -in the Education Board the necessity^ of doiii"" something in the direction or establishing small experimental plot* in different^ parts of tho province for tho " pifl-pcee of giving some practical _ ni.structibn in agriculture and horticulture. The Nelson Board has been approached on two occasions on this mat- ' rer. i wo-ild suggo>t*that this conference should appoint a deputation to again wait on them in connection with (his most important ■matter. There js not the least doubt that the jount.y councils and boroughs would assist in a scheme that was going to be of practical value to the boys and girls of our province. , . "It seems to me that during this time of stress'it is a great pity that there should be such a thing as political to mar our otherwise unanimous feelings of loyalty to our King and country. ... I sincerely hope that when Parliament meets the country will demand a cessation of party bickerings and call for the very best that the members are capable of. "The question of the incidence of taxation for war purpov.es will have to be faced sooner or later, as the country onnnpt go on indefinitely depending on voluntary subscriptions. Moreover, it is necessary for the Government, with the aid of the members of both sides of tho House, to come to a decision as to how the necessary revenue is to be raised, so that those best able will be railed upon to pay. This question in itself is sufficient reason why the time-iionoui-ed system of party government should be suspended for the time being.

"The Union in this district has, in conjunction with other parts of the Dominion, boon mere or less active in as? tasting tho Defence authorities in equipping and supplying fodder, etc., for the departing troops, and assisting the various funds for the alleviation oi distress caused by. the war; and I hope that farmers will continue to respond to these worthy objects. There is no doubt that we in New Zealand are living in a paradise; we are getting record prices for all our staple products, and the Dominion as a whole is in a most flourishing condition —our exports are increased and our imports have decreased. There certainly has been considerable difficulty with regard Uo refrigerated space, consequently farmers have not been able to take full advantage of the high prices ; but this will right itself in time. Wo should remember that those ivho are feeling, and will feel, the pinch most, are tho workers. >vho are called iipon'to pay more for the necessaries of life, and have in means of recouping themselves.

"The various branches throughout the district have, with the assistance of our Parliamentary representatives made representations to the Government, on •the various matters requiring attention isiich as roads and tracks to back•)locks settlements, some of which are, I am. pleased to say, being attended to. The Korero, Sherry and Stanley Brook branches have held two district conferences at Tapawera, both of which were well attended, and several matters of local and general importance were discussed, and representations made to the authorities concerned. These matters require. to be followed up and further urged as needful to the interests of tho district. I can confidently recommend the continuation of such conferences in other parts of the province as tlio best means of getting the needs oi the •district attended to.

"The through hooking of fruit and ■other produce by rail and sea at a uniform rate is still in abeyance. It is now live vp{irs since the Union first introduced the matter, and made representations to the Railway Department, and cere promised that something would be done-to simplify the present expensive and cumbersome, method of distributing ■our produce. T should like this question to go to the Dominion Conference again this year. "In conclusion, I would liko to express my sincere appreciation of the unt'ailiiig courtesy that has been extended <o mo during the time I have had the honour of being president of the Union. jmd I sincerely hope that the Rood work that the Union has been a bis to accomplish in the past-will be continued and that the membership will increase, as it should, if farmers _ would only realise what ,a valuable assistance the organisation would become to them with reasonable support. I sincerely regret that owing to my chanc;o of occupation, I shall to a. certain extent have to curtail by activities in connection with the Farmers' Union. But I shall continue to take a keen interest in its welfare." On the motion of Messrs. Dodson and Turner, the president was Marked for lik address, which was ordered to be printed. Tl'o balance-sheet, which showed n small credit balance/ was read find, adopted. EXPERIMENTAL FARM. Tho we^ident expressed tho oninion that fcl'O Education Board should acmrir<M>lots of five acres iV-Mip Waimea, 'Takalci. Collinsrwood. and Buller con", 'tries fov exiKH-imenta 1 mxrposes.. Hfsaid that't-wo years ap:o the farmers' hnrt | 'Approadied the Education Roard «n:this. matter.- but nothing had been done, j

Mr Jk;ll said lie was of opinion that -ho farmers were to blame for not availng themselves of the- .services of the igricultural instrupi'or-^"the farmers enow too much to bo taught anything." Mr H. M Field spoke "strongly in favour oP the establishment of an experi nentnl farm in this district. He moved that the Government bo approached on the- matter. This was seconded by Mr J. A. Guy. Mr Dockoii suggested that tho G'oi eminent, should he asked to make the -'Loke Training .Farm an experimental I arm. Tho suggestion was embodied in the motion, and the amended motion enr•ied. RI&MJTS. _ ~ On the motion of Mr Ea'hvoll, it was rc^oK-ed ihat the Minister for Public W nrks be- asked to survey a- new road over Urn Stanley Brdok-iMotueka Valley hill. A rcivit from the Stanley Brook branch, "That all stock auctioneers in the district be asked to lower their commission rnt<> to 3 per cent, on livestock sold." was carried iYlr B. M. Field moved a remit iVom !he Dcn/cdulo branch that members of tho Farmers' Union who arc shareholders in the. Nelson Freezing Company do their utmost, to induce non-shari-haldius to take up shares; and that the union run a candidate for the directorate at the noxti animal meeting of tho company, .such'candidate to be directly'responsible to tiie union." Seconded'by Mr Dodson, and carried. "^ Several members spoke of tho benofU the farmers had received by oihancod values since the ostablishmcrit- of ihc freezing woiks. ■ Mr Eatwell moved, "That the Go vernmont be asked to take sorcei immediate action to stop the exploitation of the .people of New Zealand in' the matter of necessities, of blo ; which lias been going on since the commencement of the war ; and by which a few are enriching themselves .at the expense oi tlio M-hole community." Tim movm said lie did not propose to bring in politics, but. in his opinion the Food Commission had done; nothing, while prices were still increasing: Seconded by Mr Wilkinson Mr Bell said the 'biggest increase; were/ on tho. articles produced by tin farmer, and he was sure they woulc not like their prices regulated. He-dii not think they should interfere toe much. Tho motion was lost. Mr R. G. Tunnicliffe moved, ''.Ihai the Government be urged to throw ope; for selection all Crown lands as soon a> surveyed.'1Seconded by Mr 8011, and carried ELECTION OF OIWEKS. Officers were clecied as follows::— President, Mr' Walter Thorn ; vice-pro, sjdent, Mr F. Whitwell; auditor, Mr T Boll; representative to Dominion Con feronec. M.r F. Whitwell. On the prc.sidont'.s motion it was^re solved to again brinsr under tiie notic! of the Minister for Kaihuiys tin througn-booking scheme Other business having been trans acted, tho meetino- closed with a heart; vote of'thanks io the retiring presidon (Mr I. Tunniciiffo).